April 10^th–
My dear Sister,
I will commence a letter
on this soiled paper rather
than go down stairs for
another — I have been doing
many things for a few days
past and have felt tired
much of the time, so I
begin to write this morning
while I am tolerably fresh —
Tuesday I called to take
Charlotte Morgan to drive
but found she had gone
already — with the help of
Kate and Fanny I did a
little shopping — drove a
short time off from the
pavements, which still hurt me,
left Fanny and Kate at Mr
King’s picture gallery — and
came home — Since Anna

went away I pour the tea
which is brought into the
parlour — and after that
play a game or two of whist
the only recreation Henry
allows himself — Wednesday
Henry made his speech — you
have seen it before this and
know how good it is —
He and Wilkeson.& eGreen &
Willie all went to the
capitol — Fanny and I went
to take a short walk, she
carried a portable bench for me
to sit down upon occasionally —
When we came to a view of
Georgetown she made a sketch
upon her little white slate
while I rested. All came
from the Capitol in fine spirits
Wilkeson charmed with the
speech and Henry glad it
was made — successfully —

he wished often that you
were here — as we all do — After
a cup of tea and a game of
whist we all went to bed —
Yesterday I went with Wilkeson
(I like Wilkeson) to the
Smithsonian Institute and
to see Miss Miner’s school — the
school and the mistress
appeared to him very much as
it did to you and I — he is
going again and wishes to say
something about it in the Journal —
Henry had an unpleasant time
in the Senate, most of the
Anti Nebraska people deserting
him on a vote about Kansas
which I dont I quite understand
& therefore will not attempt to
explain — Sumner & Harlan voted
with Henry Herbert & Rice were
here to dinner — I did
not see them until tea as I

invariably take my dinner alone —
up stairs — After the whist
I sat awhile to talk with
Wilkeson, but was seized with
one of those shivering fits which
admonish me that that my
nerves are overtasked — so I came
up to bed — I did not mention
that Greeley took breakfast with
us yesterday morning — and
again this morning as I was
hurrying down to see what made
all the smoke from the kitchen
I encountered Greeley in the parlour —
Henry & Wilkeson had gone to
walk, they soon returned bringing
me a beautiful rose tree
with 3 immense buds just
opening — Wilkeson purchased it at
a green house — Greeley came
to breakfast but was so en-
gaged talking that he did
not eat one mouthful
and drank only a cup of
milk & water — he is troubled
about his family from whome